Among those who replied, the University Hospital of North
Staffordshire NHS Trust said those with access included 107 porters and
105 receptionists. At Cwm Taf NHS Trust the total included
receptionists, housekeepers and domestic staff.

Alex Deane, director of Big Brother Watch, said the Government needed to
address the problem as a matter of urgency. He said: 'The number of
non-medical personnel with access to confidential medical records leaves
the system wide open to abuse.'